Supercars On A $50,000 Budget: The German Supercar Fit For A Villain

21.6K

Views

This AMG model is fit for Darth Vader.

There was a time when the AMG badge meant something. Mercedes-Benz didn’t just plaster the three-letter mark onto any vehicle, but reserved the badge for its high-performance cars. While the majority of Mercedes-AMG cars aren’t even close to having supercar performance, the company created hardcore versions of its already insane AMG models, which featured the mighty Black Series emblem. Cars with the Black Series badge are some of the craziest, most powerful cars to ever come out of Germany and this one has depreciated to an affordable price.

Based on the potent Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG, the Black Series is an entirely different animal. The extremely limited model was in essence, a toned down version of the same AMG model found reeling in Formula One cars around a track. And to ensure that those howling machines weren't moving along at a snail’s pace, the Black Series featured an impressive, hand-built engine. Forget about turbochargers, the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 found in the Black Series is the stuff of legends and put out 500 hp and 478 lb-ft of torque. Just like the soft Cabriolet version of the car, the Black Series’ engine was matched to an AMG-optimized seven-speed automatic with aluminum paddles behind the square-like steering wheel.

With its beastly engine, the Black Series sprints to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 186 mph. The Black Series might not be a lightweight at roughly 3,900 lbs., but the engine hurls the car to illegal speeds in the blink of an eye. And when those speeds are met, the supercar’s massive brakes are there to slow it all down. In fact, the Black Series is aimed at enthusiasts looking to dominate a track day. Thanks to a retuned suspension with adjustable coil springs, 19-inch forged-alloy wheels, Pirelli performance-oriented tires, a much wider track, as well as a multiplate rear limited-slip, the Black Series attacks any track with a ferociousness that can’t be duplicated by the regular AMG models.

Not only was the Black Series fast in a straight line, it could also pull 0.96 G in a turn. To match the maniacal exterior of the Black Series, the supercar’s interior was equally performance oriented. The deeply bolstered sport seats aren’t for enthusiasts with big bones and contours to the driver like a well-made suit. The interior cabin is adorned with carbon-fiber parts, while the F1-styled, flat-bottomed steering wheel and aluminum shifter provide an even sportier feel. With a price tag of roughly $135,000, the Black Series wasn't exactly cheap. But this 2008 model, with a clear title and 56,191 miles on it is going for $47,990. That’s not a lot for a purpose-built supercar with a hand-built engine and the demeanor of a villain.

Heck, Jeremy Clarkson had one and loved it, which means it’s probably good enough for you. Buy this, because it’s a true AMG model and being bad has never looked, sounded, or felt so good.